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F O O T B A L L R E C R U I T I N G New additions boost defense Defensive linemen, linebacker join Nittany Lions' recruiting class | espite all the rumors surrounding Bill O'Brien and a potential job in the NFL, Penn State hasn't skipped a beat on the recruiting trail. In recent weeks, the Nittany Lion coaching staff has landed four verbal commitments in the Class of 2014, with three of those commitments coming from prospects who will be on scholarship. The biggest of the recent additions to the class is defensive tackle Thomas Holley, who was arguably the staff's No. 1 target at any position. Holley made his decision official on Dec. 17. The nation's 63rd-ranked player overall and third-ranked defensive tackle according to Rivals.com, Holley earned more than 30 verbal scholarship offers before narrowing his list to Penn State, Florida, Notre Dame and Ohio State. He ultimately chose the Nittany Lions over the Gators. "In the end, it came down to Penn State being a better fit, but it came down the wire, the Brooklyn, N.Y., native told Mike " Farrell, national recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. "It's closer to home, so my family can see me play. I've been there so many different times and I just felt comfortable. My cousin goes there, so seeing her a lot [played into the decision]. Plus, I would always check out the football office and go see the coaches. I just built a great bond with them. " Holley, who stands 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, took official visits to both University Park and Gainesville, Fla. The first of those visits was for Penn State's game against Michigan on Oct. 13. He later trav- D eled to Florida for its game against rival Florida State on Nov. 30. Defensive line coaches Larry Johnson and Brad Lawing were in charge of Holley's recruitment for the respective schools. The two kept in consistent contact with Holley and his family during the weeks leading up to his commitment. In addition, both Bill O'Brien and Gators coach Will Muschamp were in Yankee Stadium on Dec. 10 to see Lincoln's 28-27 victory over Tottenville in the PSAL City Conference championship game. Each head coach followed up with an in-home visit to the Holley residence that evening. But the most influential person in the prospect's decision may have been Johnson. "I have a great relationship with him," Holley said. "I also liked coach Brad Lawing at Florida quite a bit. I had a great relationship with both, and that's what made it so hard. But there's something about Coach Johnson. I can't explain it. I can't wait to play for him. " Holley wasn't the only defensive tackle to make a commitment to Penn State, as junior college prospect Tarow Barney also joined the Class of 2014 at the end of November. Barney, who attended Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Miss., earned seven additional scholarship offers, with Iowa State and Illinois emerging as the top competitors. The 63, 285-pounder took an official visit to Iowa State on Nov. 8, then made his way to University Park two weeks later. By the time he left campus, Barney had already committed. "First off, the education, that was big with me, he said. "Then, Coach Johnson, " he's just a great coach and we became real close. Everything he's done there, it speaks for itself. I know he'll help me become the best player I can be." Barney is set to enroll in January for the start of Penn State's spring semester. That means he will be able to participate in spring practice come March. Despite not having a position coach lined up to replace Ron Vanderlinden, the Nittany Lions also picked up a linebacker commitment on Dec. 16 when Donte Raymond backed out of his commitment to Delaware and announced that he planned to attend Penn State. The Rahway, N.J., native had been on John Butler's radar ever since performing well at camp in June. After reviewing his film from this past season, O'Brien informed Raymond of Penn State's offer. At 6-1, 205 pounds, he projects as a weakside linebacker. Raymond was unavailable for comment before BWI went to press. The coaching staff also picked up one of its top run-on targets the same day that Raymond committed. Tight end Jacob August, who attended Fork Union Military Academy's prep program this past fall, had been on the staff's radar for months. After graduating from Cardinal Newman High School in Columbia, S.C., August earned the opportunity to walk on at Georgia as a punter. But at 66, he felt that he could contribute on more than just special teams with the school he chose. "Back in September, Penn State was absolutely my top school, August said. "I " FOLLOW RECRUITING ONLINE Visit bwi.rivals.com for updated news on PSU's scholarship offers and commitments.

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